Doctor rapped over unlabelled medication
A doctor who dispensed unlabelled medication has been found guilty of professional misconduct.
But he escaped serious punishment after swiftly admitting his errors and taking remedial action.
The Medical Council heard that Dr Mohammad Salim Khan Khattak was a part-time practitioner at the Pretty Skin Laser Clinic in Tsim Sha Tsui. He gave out several types of medication, including tablets and tubs of cream in unlabelled bags, as aftercare for laser treatment to three complainants on four occasions from October to December 2006. He also worked full-time as a general practitioner at his own Sha Tin clinic.
According to the 'Professional code and conduct for the guidance of registered medical practitioners', a patient's name, date of dispensing, and trade or pharmacological names of drugs must be on the label.
Professor Felice Lieh Mak, chairwoman of the Medical Council, said the defendant's conduct had fallen below the standard expected of registered medical practitioners. She added that improper labelling had often resulted in doctors being removed from the General Register.
However, the council acknowledged that Khattak had now set up a computerised labelling system at the clinic and arranged training courses for clinic assistants.
That Khattak admitted the charges early on and had a clean record were also taken into account. The council ordered that his name be removed from the General Register for one month but suspended the penalty for six months.
